Global Future Fellows 2025: Realizing Pijar Foundation’s Active Role in ASEAN’s Health Sector

How is the readiness of the ASEAN health system in the next 20 years? Can digital technology bridge the gaps in health services and at the same time strengthen regional resilience? These questions are not merely ideals, but become a benchmark for a region that is tough and strong.

In Brunei, for example, the implementation of AI-based digital health platforms is starting to change the way services are delivered. Integrated medical records, telemedicine, and community health monitoring systems are now being developed so that services become more proactive, data-based, and patient-centered. This step is in line with the regional vision that technological innovation is not only about efficiency, but also about how to maintain human values, ethics, and public trust.

This spirit of transformation is the background of the Global Future Fellows (GFF) 2025: Powering ASEAN’s Digital Health, an initiative of Pijar Foundation to show the importance of a people-to-people approach in strengthening ASEAN’s vision going forward. With a focus on digital health and cross-border collaboration, this program brings together ten young leaders from all ASEAN member states to formulate action recommendations that can help shape the ASEAN Health Vision 2045.

According to Cazadira Fediva Tamzil, Executive Director of Pijar Foundation, the purpose of this program goes far beyond learning:

“The Global Future Fellows program is not only a learning journey for the fellows, but also an opportunity to share knowledge with each other and together build a stronger Southeast Asia. The goal is for the ASEAN community to become more resilient starting from the grassroots level. We become more united, more connected, and able to share knowledge, experiences, and networks because ASEAN is for everyone.”

The ASEAN Community Vision 2045, which was adopted by ASEAN leaders on May 26, 2025, is an important milestone in setting the direction of the region towards an ASEAN that is resilient, innovative, dynamic, and people-centered in the next two decades. In the health sector, this vision means building integrated systems, strengthening digital infrastructure, and ensuring that innovation can be felt by all parties. Without sustainable collaboration, this commitment risks becoming only aspirations on paper.

For Dwi Meilani, Head of the Center for Apparatus Competency Development, Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia, transformation must begin with strengthening human capacity:

“We believe that investment in human resources is equally important, especially in digital skills and leadership. My hope is that what we start today can go beyond ideas, become real partnerships, joint policies, as well as capacity strengthening to build ASEAN’s collective digital health resilience.”

Launched in April 2025, GFF has brought the fellows through four learning journeys in Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Brunei, accompanied by guidance from regional and global experts.

• In Indonesia, they studied digital health diplomacy, predictive modeling, and inclusive telehealth strategies.

• In Malaysia, the focus was on national digital health strategies, innovation, and governance of electronic medical records.

• Brunei shared its experience in implementing a national digital health platform that integrates medical records, vaccination services, telemedicine, and public health monitoring.

• In Singapore, the fellows participated as attendees in the International HealthTec Summit (IHS), which showcased leading health innovations from various countries, accompanied by visits to smart hospitals and a review of pandemic preparedness infrastructure at the National Centre for Infectious Diseases.

Regarding Malaysia’s participation, Datuk Dr. Muhammad Radzi bin Abu Hassan, former Director General of Health Malaysia, said:

“I feel this is one of the most important programs ever held, and it is an honor for me to speak in front of young fellows who are very engaged in the field of digital health.”

As ASEAN enters a new era, it is important to turn big plans into real actions. Governments need to ensure that health systems are interconnected, innovators create solutions that can be accessed by everyone, and the public ensures that no one is left behind. The future of ASEAN health will be determined by the cooperation and trust that we build starting now.